The Soccer Laduma Deep Heat team is dedicated to helping the supporters stay on top of the latest injury news in football around the world. Our expert biokineticist, Russel Looms from the EPT Recovery Centre in Stellenbosch, gives us his advice regarding the injuries sustained by some of the biggest names in local football and abroad, as well as explains exactly what the consequences are of a particular injury and how best to deal with it.
On the injured list this week:
Sadio Mané
Current club: Liverpool
Injury: Shoulder
Soccer Laduma injury brief: Newly signed Liverpool winger, Sadio Mané, seemed to have suffered a suspected dislocated shoulder during training with the team last week, but later it was found to be a muscle injury, meaning the Senegalese star was able to play against Burton Albion in the EFL Cup on Tuesday. However, our Physio explained how a dislocated shoulder could have affected him.
Attending Physio: Russel Looms BHMS Hons (Biokinetics), EPT Recovery Centre
The Physio says:
You need to look at the anatomy if you want to understand it better. There are four joints in the shoulder girdle and 32 muscles. The shoulder joint is comprised of the clavicle (collar bone) – which connects onto the scapular (shoulder blade) – and the humerus (bone of the upper arm) – which attaches to the shoulder blade. The actual shoulder joint is called the glenohumeral joint. The dislocation either happens anteriorly, when the humerus draws forward, or posteriorly, if it draws backwards. The muscular structures that can be injured during a dislocation are the rotator cuff muscles. There are four rotator cuff muscles. Normally with a dislocation there is some irritation and potentially a tear to the cuff. There is also the potential of damage to the cartilage. Generally, a dislocation means the joint is out of its resting position and therefore can’t move properly.
Recommended rehab exercise: Whenever you have a dislocation, DO NOT let anybody put it back in for you. You must ALWAYS ask a professional who knows what they’re doing, preferably an orthopaedic surgeon.
During rehab you can use elastic bands, as elastic bands for shoulder injuries work wonders. The best thing to do is what we call external rotation. In other words, you put your elbow against your body and externally rotate your palm away from your body.
Estimated time of recovery: With a dislocation, perhaps a week or two – but if surgery is required, it could take 10 to 12 weeks, or even longer. It depends on whether it was a complete dislocation with damage, or a milder dislocation.
How to prevent this injury from recurring: I would get onto a really good strengthening and stabilisation exercise routine, and also use strapping and taping. Deep Heat can be used to assist in warming up the muscles before exercising and to warm away pain.
Notable players who suffered this injury in the past:
• Theo Walcott
• Tokelo Rantie
• Marcelo
• Erick Mathoho
